With the end of the season rapidly approaching Town travelled to Kidderminster Harriers hoping to continue the recent string of performances. Thomas Ryan and David Wu were both away representing the County so Town had to shuffle things around in defence.

On a rock hard pitch, Kidderminster kicked off the first half and looked to feed the ball through to their strikers. Town were looking well organised with Nic Wittam and Thomas Sweeney marshalling the Town defence well. Going forwards Town made good use of both wings which spread the Kidderminster defence and allowed some good balls to be delivered into the box. Ryan Nutchey had several early chances but could not get the ball past the keeper. Town took the lead with a well worked goal which involved several members of the team before Ben Morley coolly chipped the Kidderminster keeper. Town had several other chances in the first half but found the Kidderminster keeper in good form as he pulled off some good saves. H/T 0-1.

Town kicked off the second half knowing they had contained the Kidderminster strikers pretty well in the first half. Kidderminster stepped up the pace as they tried to find an equalising goal but Town coped well with the pressure. Stuart Mitchell and Jordy Edgington were particularly busy in the centre of midfield and were winning plenty of possession. Town had been pulled up several times for foul throws during the game, which is unusual but they accepted the decision of the referee. Then after Kidderminster had shot wide of the Town goal the Referee almost booked keeper Ben Townsend for allegedly wasting time. This seemed particularly harsh as Ben had actually run to fetch the ball. Kidderminster equalised from the resulting goal kick which was hard to take for the Town players. To their credit Town kept going right to the final whistle and created a couple of chances which could have won the game. F/T 1-1.

Another good performance from the whole squad today which really deserved all three points but we had to settle for just one. You coped really well with the hard pitch today and seemed to read the bounce quite well. Everyone was frustrated by the decision that led to the equalising goal but we’ll have to put that one down to experience!

Just one more game left of this season and that is away to Tamworth on 28th April 2007. It would be really great to end this season with a win, so lets do our best to sign off in style!

Town were looking to build on the positive result over Bristol Rovers when they entertained Derby County at Winfield Rec. in the Midland Junior Premier League. High flying Derby are doing well in this league and were lying in second place at the start of play.

Town didn’t get the best of starts when Derby took the lead with their first attack of the game. The goal was scored after 27 seconds and was definitely a wake up call for Town. There have been times this season when Town would have struggled after going a goal behind but the side responded superbly well and took the game to Derby. Stuart and Jordan were winning plenty of ball in the middle of the park with Thomas Ryan and David Wu keeping things tight at the back. Town were also making good use of both flanks and trying to spread Derby wide. Conor Macleod was having his own personal battle up front with the Derby defenders and showed his strength on many occasions. Town continued to work the flanks and it was through this that Nic Wittam scored a superb goal to level things. Derby were strong and powerful up front and posed a threat when they broke forwards. Town had keeper Ben Townsend to thank for some timely interventions when the Derby forwards were through on goal. H/T 1-1.

The half time score provided plenty of encouragement for Town who were playing into the wind during the second half. Both sides played some good football during the half with Derby pressing to take the lead and Town strongly defending whilst trying to catch Derby on the break. Both sides made substitutions during the half but it didn’t disrupt the flow of this entertaining game. Town again had keeper Ben Townsend to thank for dealing with crosses from corners. Derby was unlucky not to take the lead when one of their players was through on goal but from a tight angle he put it into the side netting. This was a let off for Town, who then created their own chances with some good link play between the midfield and forward players. F/T 1-1.

This was a really entertaining game and another good result for Town. The whole squad worked really hard today with everyone contributing in some way to the performance. This was another timely reminder of the sort of football that Town are capable of playing when everyone works hard for one another. Well done boys, you put in another good performance both individually and as a unit. Only a couple of away games remain so let’s try and close out the season with some more performances like todays.

Town hosted Bristol Rovers at Winfield Rec. in the Midland Junior Premier League.

The game was played on a bumpy pitch with a fairly strong wind blowing down the pitch. Town welcomed back Machille to the side and he turned in a strong performance.

Bristol had the benefit of the wind during the first half and set about stretching Town down the flanks before whipping crosses into the box. Bristol were well organised in the middle of the park and physical in their challenges. Town defended resolutely to a man during the first half and looked to break forward when they could. Conor Macleod was holding the ball up well and absorbing some heavy challenges in the process of getting his passes away. Town had stand in keeper Nic Wittam to thank for a good save which kept the scores level. With only a couple of minutes of the first half remaining Bristol took the lead. H/T 0-1.

Town had the benefit of the wind for the second half and were sent out with instructions to shoot whenever they got the opportunity. Town also changed keepers with Conor Macleod volunteering to go in for the second half. Bristol was still looking dangerous and the ball was holding up well in the wind as they attacked the Town goal. Town’s defence was being well marshalled by Thomas Ryan who ensured that Bristol’s attacks were thwarted. Town equalised when Thomas Sweeney rose superbly to head home after a scramble in the Bristol box. This was just the lift that Town needed and gave them encouragement to keep pressing for another goal. Town had to reorganise the defence when Thomas Ryan had to come off after falling awkwardly and hurting his back. Town kept their momentum going and were looking dangerous down both flanks. Town took the lead after a mistake in the Bristol defence left Kyle Kalym to coolly slot home. With very little of the game left Bristol pressed forwards but Town held out to secure the win. F/T 2-1.

This was a real squad effort today which you should be proud of. You really worked hard as a team and matched Bristol in the tackle. You worked hard for one another and the level of encouragement was really good. Thanks to Nic and Conor for stepping up and having a go in goal. Both of you did well and can be proud of your efforts.

Date

H/A

Opposition

W/D/L

Score

23/09/06

H

Birmingham Dulwich

L

1-3

D

2-2

D

3-3

L

1-4

L

0-6

L

0-2

D

5-5

L

0-2

D

4-4

L

1-11

L

0-5

W

2-1

D

1-1

D

1-1

Manager

Alan Townsend

Games played at Whinfield Rec, Butlin Road, Rugby.

Rugby Town Juniors have a fantastic team of coaches with qualifications to match.  Read more about them here.

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